Springboks assistant Jones flags All Blacks' illegal breakdown and maul acts ahead of first Test

Springboks assistant coach Felix Jones has raised formal concerns about the legality of All Blacks tactics ahead of the first Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, citing consistent feedback from South African franchises who faced New Zealand in the opening three matches of the Greatest Rivalry series.

The All Blacks defeated the Stormers, the Sharks and the Bulls in successive fixtures, but Jones revealed those franchises flagged two recurring infringements: “tucked shoulders” at the breakdown — a serious offence that can carry a red card — and players pulling or attempting to lift a leg at the driving maul.

“A couple of things caught the franchises out and a couple of themes were consistent across the feedback we received,” Jones told reporters. “One was around the breakdown, where they experienced tucked shoulders going in, which the franchises weren’t happy with, and a reversed-arm non-wrapping action.”

Jones also noted that the franchises were broadly encouraged by the attacking opportunities they created, particularly around the driving maul close to the All Blacks’ line, but were frustrated by their inability to convert them. “It’s tough when there’s someone pulling or trying to lift a leg or going off their feet,” he said.

The Irishman was careful to frame the comments around player safety rather than gamesmanship. “We’re all for the physical side of the game, as everyone is aware. We just want it to be within the laws. World Rugby’s number one priority is safety, so we just want to make sure that physicality and brutality stay within the laws.”

The public nature of the remarks is consistent with a strategy long associated with Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus — placing potential infringements on record with officials and the media before a high-stakes match.

Jones acknowledged the challenge posed by All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie’s methods, having previously faced him with Glasgow and Australia. “The word ‘brutal’ follows his coaching, and there are some amazing elements to how quickly they get their ruck speed going,” he said, while adding that much of what the franchises reported confirmed what the Springboks coaching staff had already observed during the Nations Championship.